Sclerotherapy is a safe, non-surgical method of removing superficial spider veins from the legs. Spider veins are tiny purple or red blood vessels that appear just below the skin's surface on the face or legs. However, facial veins cannot be treated by sclerotherapy.

Spider veins can affect women or men, but they are more commonly seen in women due to hormonal changes. Other causes include heredity, weight gain, certain medications, local trauma, sun exposure and prolonged sitting/standing. While these veins contain blood, they are not part of the venous valve system and are not necessary to healthy circulation.

Procedure:
Treatment involves the injection of a sodium chloride (sclerosing) solution via tiny needles directly into each vein. The solution irritates and destroys the inner lining of the vessel, causing it to disappear gradually over a period of weeks. An average of 50 to 70 percent of vessels can be permanently eliminated. Additional treatments may be necessary if new vessels form. Sclerotherapy is not permanent. Overtime, new veins can occur and previously treat veins can return. Maintance treatments can be performed.

Treatment Duration:
Treatment times vary depending on the severity of the the veins. A treatment, during which time multiple injections are administered, will not last for more than one hour. It may take several sessions, repeated at six-week intervals, to achieve the desired results.

Anesthesia:
Sclerotherapy requires no anesthetic or sedation. The needles are so fine that the discomfort is minimal. Some patients feel a burning sensation that quickly subsides.

After Care:
Following treatment, you may need to wear special compression stockings in order to keep pressure on the veins. Normal activities can generally be resumed within 36 hours. Walking is encouraged for the promotion of blood flow through other veins. Bruising of the treated areas usually disappears within a week. Final results may not be visible for several months. Tanning and/or exposure to the sun should be avoided for one month after each treatment.

To find out if you are a candidate for sclerotherapy, call our patient services representative at 650-330-5921 to schedule a consultation.